For his part, Grantaire was always the more grounded of the two. He had an eye toward the practical He saw life in all of its ugly reality. It is no wonder that he took to drink at a relatively early age. Wine and brandy dulled all manner of pain, whether from the bitter reality that he would never be more than a servant’s son to the physical pain of his father’s fists landing yet another blow.

Perhaps you are thinking that Grantaire’s father should have been grateful for the generosity shown to his son. However, you must also remember that pride is a very peculiar thing. A man doesn’t always like the idea of his son surpassing him on the world’s stage. Such a son might look down on his father.